Braylon Edwards
We are always careful when reporting on rumors, since in the Internet era it’s very easy to start one based on no evidence. But the most-read article today on the highly trafficked sports website Deadspin had a headline that buried the lead: The headline said, “The War On Braylon Edwards’ Manhood,” but the thrust was the piece was more direct: Is Edwards, the Cleveland Browns receiver, gay? Bottom line: We don’t know.
This is not a new rumor, but the latest “evidence” was this post Monday on a Browns message board affiliated with Fox Sports. Edwards had been the subject of trade talks with the New York Giants that never went anywhere:
First of all, let me start out with the fact that I think this is ridiculous. I have a friend who is inside the NY Giants and this morning I talked to him about the draft and the subject of Edwards came up.
No lie, he said that there was a big concern how he would fit in the locker room because a lot of people thought he was gay. He said that for some reason a good deal of the players believe that Braylon is gay and that is why he wants to go to New York (because it is a better atmosphere for homosexuals) and this has actually come up as a concern within the Giants in trading for him.
First of all, I think it is completely stupid. Whether he is gay or not, it shouldn’t matter. I don’t believe he is gay, but hell if I know. But obviously the NFL is filled with meatheads how aren’t particularly tolerant and apparently there is a potentially big locker room issue.
I was blown away that this was actually a legitimate factor as to why the Giants didn’t pull the trigger, and I was assured that this was not only a factor, but a BIG factor.
Again, I know this is ridicuolous [sic] and my goal isn’t to slander Braylon Edwards or anything, but I found it absolutely absurd that this was a factor in the Giants hesitation.
I love Braylon and am thrilled that he is staying and hope he returns to his ’07 form, so don’t take this as any attempt to slander him. Also, I could give a crap if he is and I think it is a shame that he would be shunned because of his orientation.
I know I will get flamed for this, but I was floored when I heard that this was a reason for backing away from Edwards.
The responses mostly pooh-pooh the report, as a “friend inside the Giants” could mean the janitor. And it does seem at odds with the gay-friendly vibe we’ve gotten from the Giants organization, though the dynamics in a locker room can be different.
Other evidence? Deadspin linked to this comment from Houston Texans safety Will Demps, who has done modeling:
“Last year I was with the Texans, and when we played the Browns, Braylon Edwards asked me between plays if we could talk after the game about modeling and acting.”
If being a budding actor-model meant one was gay, then 75% of Los Angeles males under 35 would fit that category. Juicier, tough, was the dredging up of a story from last year on the black-oriented website Mediatakeout that showed what it called “suspicious pics” of Edwards and “his close male companion.” After reading the spirited comments I can conclude that Edwards is 100% straight … or 100% gay, depending on who’s doing the commenting.
Outsports has also heard rumors, with Cyd reporting this:
A friend of mine SWEARS he spent an evening at Jay-Z’s club in Manhattan hanging out with the boyfriends of Michael Phelps and Braylon Edwards. It was a Monday night that the Browns were playing a game, so it seemed odd that Edwards’ bf would be in a club (albeit a sports-focused club) a thousand miles away and not at the game. I’m pretty sure it was the Giants-Cleveland game this past season.
Cyd laughed when he heard this, mostly since Phelps seemed to be wishful thinking. There are also no I.D. cards that Braylon Edwards’ partner would carry around identifying himself as such, so it’s impossible to know if someone at the club saying that was telling the truth. And besides that, why would Edwards’ and Phelps’ real boyfriends be in a New York club telling people about their famous boyfriends?
So there you have it — Braylon Edward is gay. Unless he isn’t.
Podcast: We talk about the rumor in our latest podcast, also available on iTunes.
Related: From our archives –Why do we speculate on an athlete’s sexuality?
on Apr 29th, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Why is being rumored as gay “slander” or a “war with his manhood”?
Both have negative connotations in regards to being gay.
on Apr 30th, 2009 at 1:13 AM
I Love Braylon’s web site. I wish the Chicago Bears would trade for him. What a duo… Cutler to Edwards! WOW!
on Apr 30th, 2009 at 8:58 AM
Ooooo HOW YOU DOIN???
Well looking at those pictures of his “close male companion” on Mediatakeout make me hope that he is. That lil high yella brotha is FOINE!!!!!! The comments on Mediatakeout are ridiculous, but completely what I expect from a large portion of the black community. Gay and Black and NFL. Ungh Ungh. Thats just not going to work in the minds of many people. I think its ridiculous. He is an attractive man and if he is gay more power to him. If he is I can TOTALLY understand his desire to remain closeted. And half of the mofos in the locker room spreading the fire of their suspicions are probably on the DL themselves and would love to rap on his mic in private. This stuff makes me sick. But if those two are a couple….very nice.
on Apr 30th, 2009 at 9:57 AM
I can’t believe the hate there is for Braylon Edwards in Cleveland. You People…Get a Life! Braylon Edwards was hired by the Browns to be a football player…not his sexuality. WHO CARES? This is 2009…not 1959.
FIRST…it is Brady Quinn…now it is Braylon Edwards. People who write this stuff…get a life and get a job! No wonder top rated talent does not want to stay in Cleveland. And, now I understand why people are starting to call the team the Cleveland Clowns, because of people who write this stuff. Why don’t you move to Iowa or Boston
on Apr 30th, 2009 at 10:39 AM
I thought we were passed rumors like these! Well, I guess not, which is sad.
on Apr 30th, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Who cares if the man is gay reportely it’s his life and doesn’t affect the way he plays football. And if the world is so open and loving like everyone claims it to be which I know is bullshit you all should not care and respect his wishes
on Apr 30th, 2009 at 2:54 PM
braylon edwards is a class act who does tons of good things for the community here in cleveland. my only concern with him is his tendency to drop passes, not who he’s making passes at. anyway, i find it sad how people are so eager to out someone. the pro locker room may be the last place on earth where this is even still an issue.
on Apr 30th, 2009 at 6:51 PM
This is a joke. No wonder the Browns and any cleveland team are losers. The fan B.S. dictates to the team. I have cleveland in small letters because thats what they are —small. I lived there a quarter century ago and they have a negative attitude about everything because it’s a reflection of the city’s front office in City Hall. Maybe they should change their politics.
on Apr 30th, 2009 at 7:07 PM
There have already been gay players and coaches for the NY Giants so I don’t think that’s an issue.
on May 12th, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Really does anyone care about his sexuality? I think the brotha plays the game of football well. I’ve seen the pic’s from mediatakeout.com. I have to say being a gay, professional black male, that there is a very strong bond between him and his friend. There are so many young brotha’s and sista’s who live their everyday lives a lie.I commend anyone who doesn’t care what people think, shit i don’t. Do your thing bruh!
on May 23rd, 2009 at 12:00 PM